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m 7J fii d m u w M/ UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JAMES D. BISHOP, OF NF.\V YORK, N. Y.

ELECTRICAL CONDUCTOR.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 588,382, dated August17, 1897'.

Application filed May 6, 1897. Serial No. 635,380. (No model.)

To (LZZ whom it may concern.-

Be it kn own that 1, JAMES DRAPER BISHOP, a subject of the Queen ofGreat Britain, residing in New York, county and State of New York, haveinvented certain new and useful Improvements in- Electrical Conductors,of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to electrical conductors, the object being tomake a conductor for heavy currents having high insulation, smallinductive capacity, and a maximum degree of flexibility. Conductors ofthiskind are now made by winding about a central core a number ofindependent conductors formed each of seven or more strands of roundwire and inclosing the Whole in rubber and, when a protective armor isdeemed necessary, covering the rubber with a sheathing of lead pipe. Thelarge interstitial spaces between the several component conductors andstrands make such a compound .conductor more bulky and heavy than isnecessary, the weight increasing with the bulk. In my construction thesize. is reduced by winding about the central core wire in the form ofribbon, giving the several layers of ribbon a reversed twist, therebyconsiderably minimizing the cross-section of the completed conductor,promoting a greater degree of flexibility, and increasing the insulationresistance and reduc ing the inductive capacity by reducing theconducting-surface. I preferably use a plurality of flat orribbon-shaped wires for each lay, leaving a clear space longitudinallyof the conductor between each pair of ribbons of the same lay, thuspermitting them to shift axially of the conductor when the latter isbent or twisted and thus securing the utmost flexibility.

In the accompanying drawings, which illustrate my invention, Figure 1 isa side elevation of a conductor embodying my improvements, theinsulation being shown removed. Fig. 2 is a cross-section of an armoredconductor embodying my improvements, and Fig. 3 is a cross-section of aconcentric or round metallic-circuit armored conductor.

1 represents a core, which may be of jute or ribbons or flat wires ofcopper or other good conductor. The number of conductors used may bedetermined by convenience of cabling for the pitch required, a steeperpitch and more ribbons per lay being employed where greater flexibilityfor the completed conductor is required. In the conductor exemplified inthe drawings four ribbons are employed in each lay, as seen in Fig. 2,and the consecutive lays are wound in reverse directions, as seen inFig. l. WVhe-n the desired conductivity has been reached, the conductoris inclosed in an envelop of insulating material 3, and may be armored,if desired, by a protective covering at of lead.

In Fig. 3 a double concentric conductor is shown, formed of wire ribbon,as hereinbefore described, the return-conductor 5 being laid on theinsulating material. This also is provided with an insulating-covering6, the outer armor 7 being employed or omitted, according to the uses towhich the conductor is to be put.

In a conductor as herein described it is evident that the wasteinterstitial space is much reduced as compared with a composite conductor formed of wound wire, thus rendering it possible to put the samequantity of copper in a smaller section without decreasing theflexibility or tensile strength. With the same degree of conductivitytherefore the crosssection of the completed conductor is considerablyreduced, thus decreasing the superficial area and increasing theinsulation per unit of length and correspondingly lowering the inductivecapacity. The weight and cost of such a conductor are also considerablyless than that of one made of round wire, since the smallercross-section greatly reduces the weight of insulating material neededto cover the conductor to a given depth, as also the weight of metal inthe armor to attain the same degree of protection.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire tosecure by Letters Patent, is-- 1. An electric conductor composed of aplurality of wire ribbons wound side by side longitudinally of theconductor and having intervening air-spaces.

2. An electric conductor composed of a plurality of metallic ribbonswound spirally, suc- 5. An electric conductor containing a pluz 5 ralityof wire ribbon-s superposed upon one another in successive re\*crselywonnd layers in metallic contact with one another, aninsulating-covering, and a protective outside armor.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto subscribed my name this 31st day ofMarch, A. D. 1897.

J. D. BISHOP.

Witnesses:

W. H. RoDIER, H. T. RICHARDS.

